Muse ...

I tiptoe around

trying to escape the iron clasps;

I run away

from the clatter and the yells

sucking in my breath;

and life gets caught

in that indrawn gasp;

luxurious house,

starched and correct chauffeurs,

silhouette of anxious careful faces,

fashionable parties, sweet smiles and abuses,

those unfathomable masks,

and when the dying light of the evening

catches the rich chandeliers and

kisses the crystal glass wares,

I run!

Then oneday, a strange light from within

steps over and turns my room into a rainbow

and my heart a vibrant colorful kite,

soaring high into a new sky,

away,

above,

higher.

And

I remember,

my mother, holding my hand and

making me write infront of Goddess Saraswati,

her fingers soothing and rose petals over mine,

her hair smelling of sandlwood

and I know I am going to be the most carefree,

stubborn,

and happiest writer

in this world.

written for jingle poetry.

Note: In Hinduism Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music and the arts.

Saraswati Puja (worship) is a part of Bengali culture and at almost all educational institutions and every Bengali family organize this Puja. A common ritual performed during this puja is "Hate Khari" (first lesson). At the age of three to four, you are supposed to ritually start writing the first letter of Bengali alphabet (same with Sanskrit and Hindi), on this very day. Usually, a priest would hold the child's hand and make him or her write in front of Goddess Saraswati.